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Source: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/cor...lion-masks-as-omicron-variant-surges/3454943/
NYC to Give Out 500k Rapid Tests, 1 Million Masks as Omicron Variant Surges
Dr. Jay Varma, a top advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, tweeted that the latest positivity data was a sign the omicron variant is evading immunity 'unlike any variant before'
Published 3 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago
New York City will give out 500,000 rapid tests through community groups and 1 million face masks as the city deals with what Mayor Bill de Blasio called a "very substantial increase" in cases in recent days.
"The data that we monitor so closely is showing an alarming trend," Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said at a news conference.
The strategy is part of a broad approach that also includes a revised health advisory, an increase in testing capacity and a new campaign to promote booster shots. City officials said the Test & Trace Corps' testing sites will now be open 7 days a week, and that they will have take-home tests to give people if lines are too long.
De Blasio said there was no decision yet on requiring booster shots for teachers or municipal employees, but said "that's something we are looking at on the front burner and we'll have more to say on that soon."...
...Across the board, the city's indicators are trending in the wrong direction. Over the last seven days, the city is averaging 2,899 positive cases a day, which is more than 1,000 cases higher than the 28-day average.
Transmission rates are going almost straight up as well -- 311 per 100,000 as of Monday, more than double in the space of two weeks.
For the first time, the city listed omic
NYC to Give Out 500k Rapid Tests, 1 Million Masks as Omicron Variant Surges
Dr. Jay Varma, a top advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, tweeted that the latest positivity data was a sign the omicron variant is evading immunity 'unlike any variant before'
Published 3 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago
New York City will give out 500,000 rapid tests through community groups and 1 million face masks as the city deals with what Mayor Bill de Blasio called a "very substantial increase" in cases in recent days.
"The data that we monitor so closely is showing an alarming trend," Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said at a news conference.
The strategy is part of a broad approach that also includes a revised health advisory, an increase in testing capacity and a new campaign to promote booster shots. City officials said the Test & Trace Corps' testing sites will now be open 7 days a week, and that they will have take-home tests to give people if lines are too long.
De Blasio said there was no decision yet on requiring booster shots for teachers or municipal employees, but said "that's something we are looking at on the front burner and we'll have more to say on that soon."...
...Across the board, the city's indicators are trending in the wrong direction. Over the last seven days, the city is averaging 2,899 positive cases a day, which is more than 1,000 cases higher than the 28-day average.
Transmission rates are going almost straight up as well -- 311 per 100,000 as of Monday, more than double in the space of two weeks.
For the first time, the city listed omic
